Police in Jamnagar have busted an alleged honeytrap and extortion racket that targeted young men through social media, arresting five accused from Daman and recovering mobile phones and cash used in the crime.
Investigators said the gang lured victims using fake romantic approaches, filmed them in compromising situations and extorted lakhs of rupees by threatening to leak the videos or implicate them in police cases.
VICTIM LURED THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA
The latest case surfaced after a complainant residing near Pancheshwar Tower in Jamnagar approached the City C Division police station.
Police said a woman identified as Pooja Parmar befriended the complainant through Instagram and mobile messages and persuaded him to meet her at a designated spot.
When the complainant arrived on his Honda motorcycle, Pooja joined him on the bike. Moments later, four other gang members allegedly arrived in a Baleno car and forcibly abducted the victim as part of a pre-planned conspiracy.
The accused allegedly drove the complainant to various isolated locations, threatened to kill him with a knife and robbed him of a silver chain, a silver lucky locket and Rs 1,400 in cash.
POLICE TRACK ACCUSED TO DAMAN
Following the complaint, Jamnagar Police formed multiple teams and launched an investigation using private informants, mobile tracking and technical surveillance by the Local Crime Branch.
Meet Baraiya was first apprehended during the probe. Subsequently, Yash alias Aryan Rathod, Pooja Parmar and two minors in conflict with the law were detained from Daman with the assistance of local police.
Police said legal proceedings have been initiated against all accused.
HOW THE GANG OPERATED
Investigators said Pooja would first befriend men on Instagram and other social media platforms before luring them to isolated places.
Once the victims arrived, another key accused, Yash alias Aryan Rathod, along with other gang members, would allegedly assault them and take photos and videos with the woman.
The gang then allegedly extorted lakhs of rupees by threatening to circulate the videos among family members and society or implicate the victims in police cases. Police said most victims avoided approaching authorities due to fear of social stigma and defamation.
EARLIER CASES EMERGE DURING PROBE
During the investigation, police uncovered several similar incidents linked to the gang over the last two-and-a-half years.
About two years ago, Pooja, along with Sadiq and Vijay, allegedly trapped a man named Nimish from Rajkot after calling him on his mobile phone. The accused reportedly recorded an obscene video and extorted nearly Rs 10 lakh from him.
Around six months ago, Pooja and her associates Mit, Kishan and Vivek allegedly trapped another man named Shyam and snatched a three-tola gold chain from him.
Police also found that nearly a year ago, a man from Rajkot was allegedly lured to a flat near Noori Chowkdi in Jamnagar by Pooja, Khushboo and Vahik, where compromising videos were recorded before he was robbed of Rs 40,000.
In another case from one-and-a-half years ago, a youth from Morbi was allegedly called to the Dhrrolwadi area, where Pooja, Shakeel and Raju extorted Rs 50,000 from him.
Police said two-and-a-half years ago, another young man was duped through a fake marriage scam and cheated of Rs 2 lakh. A deaf and mute man from Porbandar was also allegedly targeted and extorted of Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000.
INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
Preliminary investigations suggest that apart from Jamnagar, the gang may have targeted more than seven victims in Rajkot, Morbi and nearby areas.
Police said further investigation is underway to identify additional victims and trace other possible members linked to the racket.
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